The sky isn't falling: Woman's chickens win a reprieve

Torrie Cox has been keeping chickens since September 2013 and hopes to see regulations on urban chickens in Okaloosa County.

JENNIE McKEON / Daily News

By JENNIE McKEON / Daily News

Published: Wednesday, July 30, 2014 at 06:12 PM.

After reading about a Mary Esther woman at risk of losing her 13 chickens due to code compliance, Okaloosa County Commissioner Nathan Boyles quickly stepped into action, even though it was nearing 9 p.m.

“This is an issue that has come up before with another constituent,” he said, after getting his first glimpse of the article at nwfdailynews.com. “The government should only get involved if the issue infringes on someone else's rights.”

According to Okaloosa County Land Development Code 2.21.05, live poultry are not allowed in residential areas, like Cox's neighborhood in the R-2 district in Mary Esther. Boyles said he would like to see a partial repeal of that code.

“I'm sure there was a reason before for chickens to be prohibited, but given today's interest in being self-sufficient, it may be time for a change,” he said. “That may mean that the county won't allow roosters within residential zones or may limit the number of chickens.”

Repealing the ordinance will require the “blessing” of at least two other commissioners, Boyles said.

It was not clear Wednesday where other commissioners stood on the backyard chickens issue.

But Boyles immediately reached out to Cox to let her know that he was in support of appealing the prohibition of backyard chickens.

“At first my hopes were on the ground,” Cox said of receiving a correction notice that gave her five days to remove her chickens or be fined. “I don't want to put all of my eggs in one basket per se, but I'm optimistic.”

Having a commissioner call her personally to help, was “amazing” Cox said.

Cox lives just a few miles east of the Santa Rosa County line, where chickens are permitted. Florida counties, like Santa Rosa, will serve as an example of how to embrace the urban chicken trend in Okaloosa County.

"We have begun researching how our neighboring communities are addressing this issue, and are finding that there has been considerable interest in this issue, and that many of our neighbors are either considering or have adopted ordinances allowing chickens as accessories to residential uses," said Elliot Kampert, director of Okaloosa County Growth Management in an e-mail to Boyles Wednesday afternoon.

Boyles, who lives in an agriculturally zoned area, has had two hens for about a year and half.

“It's a great learning tool for my boy,” he said.

For now, Cox's 13 chickens are safe until at least Aug. 19, when the Board of Commissioners discusses the issue.

If she is forced to remove her two roosters, she said she has friends in Baker who will take them.

But knowing she may not have to say goodbye to all of her chickens is "a really good feeling," she said.

After reading about a Mary Esther woman at risk of losing her 13 chickens due to code compliance, Okaloosa County Commissioner Nathan Boyles quickly stepped into action, even though it was nearing 9 p.m.

“This is an issue that has come up before with another constituent,” he said, after getting his first glimpse of the article at nwfdailynews.com. “The government should only get involved if the issue infringes on someone else's rights.”

According to Okaloosa County Land Development Code 2.21.05, live poultry are not allowed in residential areas, like Cox's neighborhood in the R-2 district in Mary Esther. Boyles said he would like to see a partial repeal of that code.

“I'm sure there was a reason before for chickens to be prohibited, but given today's interest in being self-sufficient, it may be time for a change,” he said. “That may mean that the county won't allow roosters within residential zones or may limit the number of chickens.”

Repealing the ordinance will require the “blessing” of at least two other commissioners, Boyles said.

It was not clear Wednesday where other commissioners stood on the backyard chickens issue.

But Boyles immediately reached out to Cox to let her know that he was in support of appealing the prohibition of backyard chickens.

“At first my hopes were on the ground,” Cox said of receiving a correction notice that gave her five days to remove her chickens or be fined. “I don't want to put all of my eggs in one basket per se, but I'm optimistic.”

Having a commissioner call her personally to help, was “amazing” Cox said.

Cox lives just a few miles east of the Santa Rosa County line, where chickens are permitted. Florida counties, like Santa Rosa, will serve as an example of how to embrace the urban chicken trend in Okaloosa County.

"We have begun researching how our neighboring communities are addressing this issue, and are finding that there has been considerable interest in this issue, and that many of our neighbors are either considering or have adopted ordinances allowing chickens as accessories to residential uses," said Elliot Kampert, director of Okaloosa County Growth Management in an e-mail to Boyles Wednesday afternoon.

Boyles, who lives in an agriculturally zoned area, has had two hens for about a year and half.

“It's a great learning tool for my boy,” he said.

For now, Cox's 13 chickens are safe until at least Aug. 19, when the Board of Commissioners discusses the issue.

If she is forced to remove her two roosters, she said she has friends in Baker who will take them.

But knowing she may not have to say goodbye to all of her chickens is "a really good feeling," she said.